4 Way-too-early NBA trade deadline predictions for the Pacers

3. Daniel Theis suits up for the Indiana Pacers after the trade deadline

After coming over in the Brogdon deal, Daniel Theis has yet to log a single minute for the Blue and Gold this season. After starting the season in street clothes due to a knee injury and reconditioning, the big man recently went through surgery that will keep him out indefinitely.

Injury or not, however, the Pacers were always likely to trade Theis. Even though he’s currently sidelined, the team will definitely look into ways to offload his contract.

Question is, while they would (and should), will they be able to pull it off?

Realistically speaking, no. Not only is Theis’ contract far from the most desirable relative to production, but his current injury all but ensures that most teams would prefer to bank on cheaper and younger alternatives elsewhere instead of trading for Theis upfront. The Pacers could include him as a salary filler in a bigger deal, but a bigger deal, given how the team is playing right now, might already be out of the woods.

Thus, expect Theis to somehow remain on the team beyond the deadline.